Moy, let's play a hypothetical.
Let's say the Acme Party has three possible candidates for President: Tom, Dick and Harry. Tom looks like he will be heading into the Acme National Convention this summer with the most delegates from the caucuses and primaries, but not enough to garner the nomination on the first ballot. Dick also has a lot of delegates, but is a distant second. Harry is dead last among the three.
However . . . national polls show that Tom is virtually guaranteed to be unelectable in the general election in November, no matter what (despite what his delusional followers may believe). Dick may have somewhat more success than Tom in the general election, but is also likely to lose. However, national polls show that Harry would actually be favored to win in November against the other parties likely candidate, Sally, because a great deal of people mistrust and dislike Sally.
What would be in the Acme Party's best interests . . . nominating their "leading" candidate who is doomed to lose to Sally in November, or throw tradition aside and nominate the candidate who is most likely favored to bring the Presidency to the Acme Party?